"It's a no-brainer" - Coventry City urged to finalise Matty James return | OneFootball

The Sky Blues are reportedly linked with the former Premier League winner following Coventry captain Ben Sheaf's injury.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Following the news that Coventry City captain Ben Sheaf has sustained an ankle injury, the Sky Blues are considering a move for former loanee Matty James, who is a current free agent.

That's according to Daily Mail correspondent, Tom Collomosse, who has revealed Mark Robins' side are weighing up a move for the experienced central-midfielder.

Sheaf suffered another setback following five weeks out with the same injury, with it unclear how much longer his recovery will take.

James spent the last three seasons with Bristol City, playing 43 times last season, providing a useful option for Liam Manning's Robins side.

The 33-year-old was released in May following his spell at Ashton Gate, after an incredible nine-year tenure at Leicester City, being a part of Claudio Ranieri's famous 2016 Premier League winners.

Now, James could be set for a return to Coventry, following his 2020/21 season loan spell where he appeared 23 times, contributing to six goals.

"It's a no-brainer" - Coventry claim made on potential James return

FLW's Coventry City fan pundit, Neil Littlewood, has viewed the reported James return as a must-have in their search for a short-term Sheaf replacement.

He said: "I think it would be daft not to welcome him. I wasn't a huge fan of James when he was with us before, but given the situation we're in about our lack of squad depth in midfield, he's an experienced addition and has captaincy experience with Bristol City.

"He's been training with Leicester so he's fit, he knows the club, it's a no-brainer, the club would be daft not to look into it.

"Granted, looking at the business model, we tend to sign younger talent so we can develop them and sell them for profit. I reckon if he did come in it would be a short-term contract and potentially an extra year if he does well. "I can't see any profit being there, but he would make a significant difference on the pitch and even being around the changing rooms we could see a big difference. "Personally, like I said, it's a no-brainer to bring in someone of his calibre in. Jack Cork is another one without a club, who I'd be looking at. "It's the area of the pitch we need reinforcements. It would cover Sheaf whilst he is out injured and I also think he'd be great with Sheaf playing alongside him, like during his loan spell.

"That would be my thoughts on it, 100 percent bring him in and give him till the end of the season, with an option of another year as well.

James' experience will provide a strong short-term option for Sheaf

James' experience speaks volumes and proves an ideal candidate to replace that of Sheaf for the time-being.

Robins explained the extent of the Coventry captain's injury to CoventryLive.

The Coventry boss said: "We trained at the stadium on Thursday, and he caught the ball on the end of his toe when a cross came in, and he was taking a touch to shoot, but he actually didn’t take the touch, tried to shoot, one touch.

"It would have been better if he’d have taken a touch because he wouldn’t have got injured, but the ball came across at some force, and then he went through it, and it just opened the injury up again, so it’s given him a little bit of pain."

So far the Sky Blues haven't started the campaign brilliantly, with four points from four games, examining how frustrating it is for Sheaf to have another set back.

Currently, Robins' side have a pivot of Josh Eccles and Victor Torp, who have looked solid, but James can provide not only cover but his level of experience and determination, whilst possessing the leadership skills that could be missing in this Coventry side.

In his first spell, he played alongside Sheaf and Gustavo Hamer. Not bad company.

In a slightly weakened midfield to then, James can make a key impact and if all goes well, he could cement his place in Robins' side.